In Brief: Expert says Pa. didn't address fracking health impacts

Pennsylvania's former health secretary says the state has failed to seriously study the potential health impacts of one of the nation's biggest natural gas drilling booms.

Dr. Eli Avila also says the state's current strategy is a disservice to people and even to the industry itself because health officials need to be proactive in protecting the public.

"The lack of any action speaks volumes," said Avila, who is now the public health commissioner for Orange County, New York. "Don't BS the public."

Avila told the Associated Press that he believes senior political advisers did a "disservice" to Republican Gov. Tom Corbett by putting a study of health effects on the back burner three years ago.

EBay to feature Sotheby's auctions

EBay will soon feature auctions from the likes of Monet, Picasso and other masters through a new partnership with auction house Sotheby's.

The companies will offer a new live auction feature on eBay Inc.'s website and real-time bidding for Sotheby's auctions that are taking place at Sotheby's headquarters in New York. The move lets eBay's 145 million active users have more access to the high-end art and objects that Sotheby's auctions.